Last April, if you will recall, the Arizona Legislature passed an immigration bill that allows state and local police to demand documentation of those who are suspected of being in the United States illegally and then to arrest those who fail to provide it. Described as a necessarily tough measure by its supporters, including Governor Jan Brewer, the bill was widely supported by Arizona residents. However, passage of the law set off a spate of protests by opponents nationally who feared "racial profiling" specifically targeted at Arizona's Latino community. (photo: USA Today)

Enter Robert Sarver, banker, entrepreneur and majority owner of The Phoenix Suns, Arizona's basketball franchise. Sarver's team was playing in the Western conference semi-finals and Game Two happened to coincide with Cinco de Mayo this year. Following passage of the immigration bill, Sarver announced the team would wear special "Los Suns" jerseys "to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the state of Arizona, and our nation."

(photo credit: National Basketball League)

In a year when most of the attention was directed to a far more flamboyant owner--Yankees chief George Steinbrenner--whose death recalled a lifetime of temper tantrums, let's give a big cheer to a level-headed and gutsy owner with who used his high profile to support not only his team, but a much wider cause.

 see also: ESPN May 4, 2010; Reuters, April 19, 2010;  Seattle Times, May 6, 2010